9 BHAGAVAD GITA SHLOKAS WITH MEANINGS THAT PROVIDE MOTIVATION AND STRENGTH IN DIFFICULT TIMES
Shrimad Bhagavad Gita is the discourse between Lord Krishna and Pandava warrior prince Arjuna before the Kurukshetra War. It is comprised of the lessons taught by Lord Krishna in the form of Shlokas, or poetry, which altered Arjna's outlook on life. Even though the Gita is centuries old, its wisdom and reasoning still stand true today, making it a timeless manual.
In trying circumstances, the shlokas of the Bhagavad Gita can guide us towards the correct path and decisions. They help us discover our genuine calling in life, inner serenity, and purpose. Let us check out 9 Bhagavad Gita Shlokas with their meanings that will provide motivation and strength in trying times.
9 Bhagavad Gita Shlokas With Meanings
1. Shloka 2.14 (Chapter 2, Verse 14)
मात्रास्पर्शास्तु कौन्तेय शीतोष्णसुखदुःखदाः ।
आगमापायिनोऽनित्यास्तांस्तितिक्षस्व भारत ।।
mātrā-sparśhās tu kaunteya śhītoṣhṇa-sukha-duḥkha-dāḥ
āgamāpāyino ’nityās tans-titikṣhasva bhārata
Meaning - O son of Kunti, the fleeting presence of joy and sorrow and their eventual removal is comparable to the arrival and passage of the winter and summer seasons. O son of Bharata, they are the result of sense perception, and one has to learn to live with them without becoming upset.
2. Shloka 18.78 (Chapter 18, Verse 78)
यत्र योगेश्वरः कृष्णो यत्र पार्थो धनुर्धरः।
तत्र श्रीर्विजयो भूतिर्ध्रुवा नीतिर्मतिर्मम।।
yatra yogeśvaraḥ kṛṣṇo yatra pārtho dhanurdharaḥ
tatra śrīrvijayo bhūtirdhruvā nītirmatirmama
Meaning - There will undoubtedly be luxury, triumph, great strength, and morality wherever there is Krsna, the teacher of all mystics, and wherever there is Arjuna, the greatest archer. That's what I think.
3. Shloka 3.21 (Chapter 3, Verse 21)
यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः।
स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते।।
yad yad ācharati śhreṣhṭhas tat tad evetaro janaḥ
sa yat pramāṇaṁ kurute lokas tad anuvartate
Meaning - A great individual's actions inspire ordinary people to follow in his footsteps. And the entire world strives to meet the standards he establishes via outstanding behaviour.
4. Shloka 3.35 (Chapter 3, Verse 35)
श्रेयान् स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात्।
स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेयः परधर्मो भयावहः॥
śhreyān swa-dharmo viguṇaḥ para-dharmāt sv-anuṣhṭhitāt
swa-dharme nidhanaṁ śhreyaḥ para-dharmo bhayāvahaḥ
Meaning - It is considerably preferable to do one's assigned obligations, even if they are flawed than another's. Destruction in the process of executing one's duty is preferable to engaging in another's obligations because following another's road is risky.
5. Shloka 2.47 (Chapter 2, Verse 47)
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥
Karmaṇyev ādhikāraste mā phaleṣu kadācana
mā karmaphalaheturbhūrmā te saṅgo’stvakarmaṇi
Meaning - You have the right to do your assigned duties, but you are not entitled to the results of your actions. Never believe yourself to be the source of the outcomes of your actions, and never become addicted to not doing your duties.
Bhagavad Gita is also known as the "song of god". (Image Source: Canva)
6. Shloka 3.19 (Chapter 3, Verse 19)
तस्मादसक्तः सततं कार्यं कर्म समाचर।
असक्तो ह्याचरन् कर्म परं आप्नोति पूरुषः।।
tasmād asaktaḥ satataṁ kāryaṁ karma samāchara
asakto hyācharan karma param āpnoti pūruṣhaḥ
Meaning - As a result, one should behave as a matter of duty, rather than getting connected to the benefits of one's activity, because working without attachment leads to the Supreme.
7. Shloka 18.46 (Chapter 18, Verse 46)
यतः प्रवृत्तिर्भूतानां येन सर्वमिदं ततम्।
स्वकर्मणा तमभ्यर्च्य सिद्धिं विन्दति मानवः।।
yataḥ pravṛttirbhūtānāṃ yena sarvamidaṃ tatam
svakarmaṇā tamabhyarcya siddhiṃ vindati mānavaḥ
Meaning - By worshipping the Lord, who is the source of all beings and who is all-pervading, man can, in the performance of his duty, attain perfection.
8. Shloka 9.34 (Chapter 9, Verse 34)
मन्मना भव मद्भक्तो मद्याजी मां नमस्कुरु।
मामेवैष्यसि युक्त्वैवमात्मानं मत्परायणः।।
manmanā bhava madbhakto madyājī māṃ namaskuru
māmevaiṣyasi yuktvaivamātmānaṃ matparāyaṇaḥ
Meaning - Engage your mind in constant thoughts of Me, make obeisances, and adore Me. Being entirely engrossed in Me, you will undoubtedly come to Me.
9. Shloka 12.10 (Chapter 12, Verse 10)
अभ्यासे ’प्यसमर्थोऽसि मत्कर्मपरमो भव ।
मदर्थमपि कर्माणि कुर्वन् सिद्धिमवाप्स्यसि ॥
abhyāse ’py asamartho ’si mat-karma-paramo bhava
mad-artham api karmāṇi kurvan siddhim avāpsyasi
Meaning - If you cannot practice the laws of bhakti-yoga, then simply strive to work for Me, for working for Me will bring you to the ideal level.